Pakistan post 235/7 against Zimbabwe

Brisbane, March 1 (IANS) Pakistan posted a respectable total of 235/7 in 50 overs in their cricket World Cup Pool B encounter against Zimbabwe at the Gabba here Sunday.

Considering the slow start Pakistan got after winning the toss, 235 is a competitive total on a slow wicket.

Zimbabwe bowlers were brilliant at the start, taking two early wickets and restricting Pakistan to 14/2 in 10 overs and then 33/2 at the end of the 15th over, the lowest 15-over total of this World Cup.

Openers Nasir Jamshed (1) and Ahmed Shehzad (0) were bowled out, with the 1992 edition champions tottering at 4/2. Pakistan lost the fifth wicket at 127 in the 34th over.

But a quick knock of 54 not out from 46 balls by Wahab Riaz towards the end of the innings helped Pakistan cross the 200-mark.

Riaz’s first One-Day International (ODI) half-century is the highest score as a No.8 batsman in this World Cup.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was instrumental in playing the anchor’s innings. He played a typical patient knock of 73 from 121 balls.

Coming to the middle in the fourth over, he remained till the 47th over to compile his 40th half-century.

Though Pakistani batsmen kept getting out at the other end, Misbah was in the middle for three hours and 11 minutes.

Left-hander Haris Sohail (27), wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal (33) and Sohaib Maqsood (21) also played small cameos to take Pakistan past 200.

Zimbabwe bowler Tendai Chatara's figures read 10-2-35-3. He would have bagged a couple of more wickets had the fielders not dropped some sitters at the fag end of the innings.

Left-arm spinner Sean Williams (2/48) picked up a couple of wickets while Tawanda Mupariwa (1/36) clinched one. Tinashe Panyangara was economical at the start but was hit for runs in the death overs.

Brief scores: Pakistan 235/7 in 50 overs (Misbah ul Haq 73, Wahab Riaz 54 not out, Umar Akmal 33; Tendai Chatara 3/35, Sean Williams 2/48) against Zimbabwe.